We are planning to rent a car at the Geneva airport and return it at the Marseilles Airport. Our route will include the following towns so any suggestions for places to stay or eat, things to do or see will be greatly appreciated. Also any tips about renting and driving would be welcomed!
We will be flying into Geneva on an overnight flight from the US so our first day is a Sunday and will involve renting the car, getting out of the airport and finding a place to catch our breath and sleep in the Lausanne or Montreux area. We will proceed to Chamonix and Mt. Blanc for the next day or two. After that, on to Albertville, Grenoble, Manosque and Aix-en-Provence. We need to be in Marseilles by the following Sunday morning. We have plenty of time I think to cover that distance so how would you break up the trip?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
It may costs you more than you know or want to pay to rent a car and drop it across the border.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
We are planning to rent on the French side of the airport and get a Swiss sticker for 40CH that will allow us to drive around Lake Geneva. Looking online, the prices do not seem that bad.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33848 posts
Maybe so, The Other Bob, but a Swiss Vignette would not be required on the French side of the airport.
It is up to the renter if they want to take the car over the border.
Switzerland may be close but not too far away is also Austria and Slovenia both of which also require Vignettes. Should the French car rental place provide them too?
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
At any rate, if you choose to avoid routes nationales you wouldn't need one at all.
I was going to mention that and suggest an itinerary to do that, but I decided it would take the OP a little bit out of the way. I've done it, but I'm a cheapskate.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
One alternate recommendation for a place to stay the day you arrive is Segny, France. It's very easy to get to from the French side, and takes about 15 minutes. It has one small hotel, La Bonne Auberge, which is fabulous. And across the street is a great restaurant (Chez Arno), one the best cheese shops anywhere, and a great boulangerie. The town is pretty suburban, but if you just want a convenient place to stay the first night, it's fine. We've stayed there a couple of times before flying out of Geneva.
Posted by
59 posts
I agree with Annecy good spot to adjust. Beautiful in every way. We also went to Chamonix at the end of our trip and drove to Geneva airport from there. Stayed in a cabin hostelry. Did the expensive Aguille de midi trip and family didn’t like the altitude effects-expensive, time consuming, claustrophobic but also awe inspiring. I haveanew respect for mountain climbing documentaries! Looks like a crowded place in winter or summer
Also stayed in Sisteron on the way to Cassis. Also good. Loved Mussaine de Alpines (see my le Baux comment on the forum)
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
713 posts
I believe it is a bit of roulette in getting an up to date vignette on your car rented from the French side (Ferney Voltaire). The route is easy on that side of the lake -- I used to work along that side and lived in Lausanne. Consider Vevey, it is quite charming as an alternative to Montreaux. Along the lake, in Lausanne Ouchy, is a Movenpick with good rates, parking and an excellent breakfast (but the building is not atractive on the exterior). A high end choice is the Beau Rivage. (Note Sundays the markets will be largely closed in Switzerland. There is a shop at the aeroport and at the station/Gare in Laussanne),
I've taken the route through Martigny several times, it is beautiful but some of the best views are off the main road. (There is also a truly vertiginous route to the Italian side/Aosta - the Great St. Bernard Pass). Near the pass at Finhaut is a spur road to Lac Emosson/Emosson Dam. The special railway stops here from Chamonix, and at the top there is a resto with a great terrace with fondue made with local mountain cheese (fondue d'alpage).
Chamonix: I also recommend that the best shot for views is in the morning; reservations available for July/August, I think.
On the route to Manosque, most people will stop in Annecy (you can bypass Grenoble). I assume you will be spending time in Manosque, since you will be at the peak time for the Valensole lavender fields. You can also head over to the Luberon. This is a more than one night stop.
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Posted by
59 posts
I’m gonna stick up for Grenoble. We stayed two nights there. Drove up to Chartruse massif. Walked old town. Went up to the fort via bubbles. I think it is a good visit to a regular not real touristy mid sized city. Plus my daughter was living there and had to work 2 days during our trip. Grenoble was a good time.